the Way of the Showman

A beautiful poem sent in as a response to an earlier episode and then dig into a bit of showbiz history to get a better grasp on how to view the pandemic and apparent death of showbiz. I also go on a bit of a philosophical exploration in a quest to find the elusive thing which is my art. As you shall hear the reason for its elusiveness might be that it isn't a thing at all but a process.Some show notes:Shep Huntly Master Showman and for our purposes, poet.Marx Brothers.Joe Adamson's book: Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Sometimes Zeppo: A History of the Marx Brothers and a Satire on the Rest of the Worldthe Spanish Flu, (which did kill 50 million people, I got that right.)Wolf diorama American Museum of Natural HistoryAlfred North Whitehead - process philosophyCircus. Carnival. Showmanship. Art of Entertainment.Support the show...If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

The circus, the cycles of life and of the year all come together in todays episode. The very first of my Carnival Cinema blog posts influenced the very first Way of the Showman podcast, which again is one big swirling mirror of the tumultuous relocations in my own life. The times they are a' changing and we showfolk are still struggling to find our feet in this new liquid reality. This is a show about beginnings and ends and how it is hard to tell them apart sometimes. Is this the end? or is it a glorious new beginning? A great leveller. show notes: (not so many today)I talk about my dear friend Søren Østergaard from Zirkus NemoSupport the show...If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

Today the lens of Showmanship becomes a microscope that looks deep into the nebulous connections between Showmanship and the mystical art of Alchemy. By looking at the two things side by side we can develop a more majestic and esoteric perspective on the frivolous art of Showmanship. In many ways the whole project of the Way of the Showman is to go beyond the first and simplest level of jokes and tricks. This episode dives deeper. We sail our Showmanship out onto the Sea of Illumination and struggle our way into our brass helmeted diving suit before letting ourselves sink down to the Abyssal Planes to seek for hidden and forgotten treasures.Some of the things I mention.The Clown Manifesto by Nalle LaaneleThe Lost Knowledge of the Imagination by Gary LachmanPhilosophers Stonethe book of the Law by Aleister CrowleySupport the show...If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

I have a few more things to say about constraints and limitations as catalysts for new work. I also spend some time contemplating other sources for meaning, now that the Pandemic has made Crowds and Shows into entities on the brink of extinction. We Showfolk must explore other avenues for meaning in our lives.Then I delve into a deep look at children and how their attitude can be most informative and beneficial, not just for clowns, but for all the characters of the Grand Big Top of the World, as a Way to approach our new reality.Support the show...If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

It has been said that the Clown is the Soul of the circus, and this pivotal figure, the fool, the jester, and his strange visions and very intricate dance with truth, is the topic of today. The Clown is at once the most ridiculous of all characters, yet there is another, much deeper and powerful side of the Crazy Wise Holy Fool. How did the fool become the first card in the Tarot, the alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end? The truth is that I don't know the full extent of it but "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time."So, come with me, I will as always be your Captain, you are most welcome to dine at my table aboard the Showmanship.Support the show...If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

I make a case for the constraints of these strange times becoming a catalyst for the future of Showmanship, and I share a personal tale of the two kinds of secrets which permeated my childhood. As Wordsworth reminded us, "the Child is Father of the Man," thus both streams of secrets lingers in me to this day.You will discover secret knowledge and get a behind the scenes look at some of the techniques of the Magician as well as getting a taste of more occult flavoured secrets.Support the show...If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

There is a new reality dawning for show business. It's still illegal to do shows in Las Vegas. How can a Showman find his Way in this new world? I have been delving into the Lost Knowledge of the Imagination and experienced some consciousness expanding poetry. It's helped me see the stars a little clearer and allowed me to plot the course onwards for my Showmanship. This episode is about transformation.Support the show...If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

A blow by blow telling of the tale of how Showbiz shut down in Sin City, Las Vegas and beyond with a few thoughts on the future for a Showman in a world with no Crowds.Support the show...If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

A short introduction to give a feeling of the tone and themes and what this podcast is about.Support the show...If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo